Milton Keynes Dons Sport & Education Trust are delighted to announce that the organisation has been awarded a three-year licence to operate the new FA Emerging Talent Centre (ETC).
The ETC is the FA's new talent identification programme developed in line with the 'FA Girls' Football Strategy' to increase the number of environments that support player transition from participation to excellence. MK Dons SET will be one of 60 organisations delivering this programme around the country.
MK Dons ETC groups will strengthen the club's foundation phase offer, running U10s, U11s and U12s age groups that will run alongside the existing RTC (Regional Talent Club) for the upcoming season before all RTC's finish at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. This will provide a clear pathway for girls within the Club's programmes, providing appropriate delivery ranging from community projects through to the women's first team.
On the announcement of being awarded and ETC licence, Jon Dewick, Girls' Football Development Manager said: "We are delighted to have been awarded our ETC licence for the next three years.
"This will see our Girls Talent Pathway grow, providing a clearer route for foundation phase players looking to progress within the game at MK Dons.
"We continue to work hard to ensure we can give each player a platform to progress, develop and aspire to be the person they can be, whilst also strengthen the opportunities for players within the local area to participate."
Jack Sharp, Head of Football & Performance at MK Dons SET, added: "The award of this licence is testament to the hard work the team have put in behind the scenes to develop an exciting, aspiring player pathway, where individuals have a clear route into our women's team.
"The ETC will allow us to discover different talent and engage with more young people through a programme designed to support all areas of a young person's development as we support the transition of players into excellence.
"The next 12 months is going to be huge for girls' & women's football in Milton Keynes, with the Euro's providing a catalyst for many exciting developments in the game'.
For updates regarding girls and women's football follow @MKDonsFCWomen on twitter!
